Improvement in floating-bath structures



i F. DESPOIX & J. REBOUL.

Patented Sept. 4,1877.

Inventor UNITED STATES FA'rEN'r OrFIoE.

FRANQOIS'DESPOIX AND JOSEPH REBOUL, OF SAN FRANCISCO, OAL.

IMPROVEMENT IN FLOATING-BATH STRUCTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 194,808, dated September 4, 1877; application filed July 23, 1877.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, FRANQOIS DESPOIX and JOSEPH REBOUL, of the city and county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented an Improved Floating-Bath Struc ture; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Our invention relates to certain improve ments in such vessels or floating structures as are provided with bathing or swimming tanks for bathing and swimming purposes.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved bath structure. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the compartment G.

The letter A represents a boat or floating vessel, which it is intended to anchor permanently as a bathing or swimming establishment. This vessel or floating structure we divide into two main compartments, B 0, one at each end of the vessel, leaving a promenade or passage-way entirely around each. The roof at of each compartment we make of glass, so that the rays of the sun will pass through to light and warm the interior, and aid in preserving the temperature of the waterin the tanks. In each compartment we con struct a pool or bathing-tank, e, and provide it with an adjustable bottom, f. This bottom we support by hangers g or other suitable means, so that it can be inclined to give shallow water at one end and deep water at the other end; or it may be lowered to a horizontal plane, so as to give a uniform depth of water at every point in the tank. In actual use we shall probably use screws for supporting and adjusting this bottom.

The walls of the hull or vessel, and also the bottom f, are made double, and the space between the walls is tilled with sawdust or other non-conducting substance, for the purpose of preventing the temperature of the outside water from afi'ecting the temperature of the water in the swimming-tank. h h are the steps which lead from the deck down into the bath.

The dressing-rooms we arrange around the tank in the ordinary manner.

it are the smoke-stacks of a steam-boiler, which we locate amidships between the two compartments B G. This boiler will supply steam for operatinga steam pump, (not shown,) by means of which water will be pumped into the tanks. This water we pass through a heater before introducing it into the tanks,so as toraise its temperature to the desired degree. 'The water-pipe t, which conducts the water from the heater to the tanks, passes around the tanks inside of the wall of the hull, and numerous branch pipes 0 o 0 will connect this pipe with the tanks at diflerent points, so as to distribute it equally in the tanks. At both ends of each tank we make one or more openings, 1), through'the side of the hull, and these openings we close by means of valves or doors 7* T, when it is desired to. shut out the water. By opening these valves the outside water is allowed to pass into each tank at one end and out at the other, thus cleaning them easily and thoroughly.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A floating structure for bathing purposes, having one or more bathing-tanks, B 0, each of which is provided with an adjustable bottom, f, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. The floating tanks B 0, provided with double walls, and having the space between them filled with sawdust or other non-conducting substance, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. In a floathing-bath structure, provided with tanks B G, and supplied with heated water through a pipe, T, the branch pipes 0 o 0 for distributing the water to diiferent parts of the tank, substantially as and for the purpose described.

4. In a floating bath structure, provided with one or more tanks, B O, the arrangement of an opening or.openings P, with their valves 1 at both ends of each tank, by opening which a current of water may be established through each tank, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals.

F. DESPOIX.

L. s.] J. REBOUL.

L. s.] Witnesses:

OLWYN T. STACY,

FRANK A. BROOKS. 

